August 21, 2012: The Coalition of Labor Union Women (CLUW) expresses their outrage at the sexist and demeaning remarks by Congressman Akin referring to “legitimate rape”. This is one more example of the war on women and it will not be tolerated.

This war has been evidenced by those who would limit a woman’s right to obtain contraceptives thru employer sponsored health plans if that employer happens to be a Catholic institution (in violation of the Affordable Care Act), or the failure of the House of Representatives to pass the inclusive Violence Against Women Act, or states having ballot measures where a fetus is called a person and has more rights than a mother and many other examples curtailing a woman’s right to choose. Women should have the right to make their own choices about their reproductive health and all other aspects of their health and lives. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect.

Congressman Akin’s remarks are reprehensible.

CLUW’s president, Karen J. See stated that “We are deeply offended by Congressman Akin’s remarks, but let’s use this as a galvanizing moment to push for increased voter registration particularly among young women and let’s encourage union women to run for office so we have a progressive voice supporting and defending our concerns in the halls of Congress and in the States.”

CLUW is a partner in the Women’s Campaign Fund’s She Should Run program that encourages pro reproductive choice women to run for office.